The BOV GFA Cup preliminary round produced two thrilling encounters at the Kercem Stadium on Saturday, 1st November 2025, as Nadur Youngsters and Qala Saints both booked their places in the next round following hard-fought victories.
Nadur Youngsters 2โ0 Xagฤงra United
Referee: Wayne Sammut
Defending Gozo champions Nadur Youngsters secured a comfortable yet hard-earned 2โ0 win over Xagฤงra United, ensuring their safe passage to the next round.
Diego Fernando Rodriguez Angulo opened the scoring for Nadur midway through the first half, firing home in the 23rd minute to give his side control of the match. Nadur continued to dominate possession and create opportunities, but Xagฤงra held firm to keep their hopes alive.
In stoppage time, Nadur were awarded a penalty, but Joseph Xerri saw his initial effort saved. However, he made immediate amends by converting the rebound moments later (90+6โ) to seal a deserved victory for the Youngsters.
Kercem Ajax 2โ2 Qala Saints (AET โ Qala win 5โ4 on penalties)
Referee: Vladimir Rizoski
The second preliminary tie delivered a true cup classic as Qala Saints edged Kercem Ajax on penalties after an intense 2โ2 draw following extra time.
Gilberto Martins Leite Carrara put Qala ahead in the 55th minute, but Mario Henrique Fernandes Cardoso equalised for Kercem with just over ten minutes remaining, sending the match into extra time.
The drama continued as Junior Adenilson Ferreira Dos Santos (Sergipe) restored Qalaโs lead in the first half of extra time (105+1โ), only for Dejan Bogdanovic to score a dramatic 120th-minute leveller for Kercem.
Qala were then reduced to ten men when Andre Gabriel Castro Martins was shown a red card in stoppage time (120+1โ), but they held their nerve in the ensuing shootout, winning 5โ4 on penalties to advance.
Both Nadur Youngsters and Qala Saints now move into the next round of the BOV GFA Cup, keeping their hopes of silverware alive after a day of intense and emotional football at the Kercem Stadium.
Sports Editor
Veteran Journalist
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